Training company recognises efforts to encourage engineers
A STAFFORDSHIRE automotive apprentice has been honoured for his achievements.
Josh Watson, who works at Lichfield-based Faurecia Interior Systems, has been named as the Peter Wood ‘Outstanding Apprentice of the Year’ at the annual In-Comm Training Awards. In doing so he beat off the challenge of 100 other trainees from across the West Midlands.
He impressed judges for his dedication to his studies, combining theoretical learning with an ability to have a major impact on the shopfloor, becoming an integral part of the team in the process.
The apprentice was joined on stage by other winners, including Martin Hardy (Wedge Group) and Michael Millward (Moog Aircraft Group), who shared the ‘Outstanding Adult Learner of the Year’ title.
Moog Aircraft Group, Norgren IMI and Baldwins were also recognised for their training initiatives, collecting the Employer of the Year Titles for ‘Adult Learners’, ‘Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Apprenticeship Learners’ and ‘Business Support Apprenticeship Learners’ respectively.
Rebecca Phillips, of In-Comm Training and Business Services, said: “When we first started to organise these awards, the apprentice career path was off the radar and there was very little interest in it. What a difference four years make, but we still have work to do to convince young people and adult learners that the vocational route can make a major difference.”
She said more people had entered the awards than ever before in 2015 and the quality of the candidates was said to be far higher than previous years.
“We like to make sure the employers are recognised. Without firms willing to invest in new talent and their existing workers then the skills gap will only grow wider,” she added.
Other winners included:
• Rachel Green (Baldwins): Apprentice of the Year – Business Support
• Stephanie Sparkes (Integrated Water Services): Adult Learner of the Year – Business Support
• Marta Pruska (Rubberneck Fittings): Apprentice of the Year – Supervisory Management
• Ryan Blair (Baker & Finnemore): Business Improvement Techniques Intermediate
• Luke Godden (Gestamp Tallent): Apprentice of the Year – Engineering & Manufacturing Technologies
• Mark Chamberlain (Norgren IMI): Most Improved Apprentice of the Year
• Alastair Green (Truflo Marine Valves): Tom Wood Memorial Apprentice’s Apprentice of the Year
In-Comm has been supplying training services for more than 30 years. The firm develops engineering apprentices and has recently invested more than £350,000 in developing a new Forklift Truck Training Centre at its academy in Aldridge to develop the next generation of engineers.
